Truman Gillet House Bed and Breakfast

Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast is located in Granby, Connecticut, a city situated on the northern side of the state and within close proximity to the Connecticut River. The business has two units that can be reserved, The Connecticut Room Suite and The Granby Room. The Connecticut Room Suite is larger and can sleep a maximum of four people per night, while The Granby Room has one queen bed and can sleep up to two guests. Breakfast is complimentary and is served in the dining area between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. The inn is open year-round and allows children of all ages to stay, although the company is unable to make accommodations for pets.

About

Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast offers two suites for people to reserve: The Connecticut Room Suite and The Granby Room. The Connecticut Room Suite is larger than The Granby Room, making it capable of sleeping up to four people per night. Amenities inside the room include a queen-sized bed, a private bathroom, a television, a microwave, a refrigerator, a whirlpool tub, and a twin vanity. The second unit, The Granby Room, has a queen bed and can sleep up to two people per night. A couple of differences between the suites are that The Granby Room does not have a television, and the bathroom, which can only be used by people in this unit, is located across the hall. The owner of the business, Wayne, explains that people typically reserve The Granby Room if they are in the area for a short amount of time, usually for an overnight stay. Regardless of which suite guests decide to reserve, everyone staying at the inn is also invited to eat breakfast.

Breakfast is typically served in the dining area, which is capable of seating up to six people. Patrons can attend breakfast anytime between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. Wayne describes the breakfast as “Country-style,” and in the past, they have served dishes such as cheese scrambled eggs, omelets, blueberry pancakes, and french toast. He also mentions that he can create food that abides by specific dietary guidelines and allergies, including gluten-free and diabetic.

There are several common areas that all visitors can use while staying at Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast. A sitting room near the front of the home has a couch and a television that guests can use at their leisure. When breakfast is not underway, people are allowed to use the dining area if they would like to eat food at any other time of the day. Outside of the property, one can find a bench on the walkway. Wayne remarks that people sometimes use it to “read a book, eat food, or watch traffic.”

One can find a variety of attractions and stores nearby. Wayne explains that one noteworthy place is called Old Millpond Village, which has several different stores, including a Christmas tree shop, an indoor and outdoor furniture store, and a few other outlets. There is also a flea market where guests can visit a variety of smaller shops all in one building. Furthermore, the Connecticut Wine Trail is available for visitors to participate in if they desire. Other locations that can be found within the vicinity include Mark Twain’s house, the Bradley Air Museum, The Trolley Museum, and the Firemen’s Museum. There are various restaurants in the area as well. A few that Wayne enjoys recommending by name are Grassroots Ice Cream, New England Pizza & Restaurant, and The Barn Restaurant.

Culture

Wayne, the current owner of Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast, would like his guests to feel “like they’re at home.” In an effort to create this environment, he explains that he recently installed a new water system that “can’t run out of hot water,” allowing patrons to have warm water more consistently than before. Wayne also added a new furnace that enables visitors to set the thermostat in their unit to their desired temperature. He puts extra effort into creating breakfast and keeping the house clean as well.

The business has several policies that visitors should be aware of during their stay. Smoking is prohibited on the property, and pets are not allowed to stay at the bed and breakfast. Children of all ages can be accommodated at Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast. Quiet time begins at 10:00 p.m. each night.

There have been a variety of people that have stayed at the bed and breakfast. A few of these past guests have left notes regarding their experiences, many of which mention aspects of the property, such as breakfast, the units, and the owners. One person who recently stayed at Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast wrote, “The B & B was cozy, comfortable, private, and clean. Breakfast was always delicious. A few of our favorites were the blueberry pancakes, french toast, and homemade applesauce. The hosts were gracious, pleasant to talk with, and accommodating.” The business is open year-round, with the busiest time of year tending to be in the fall. The typical demographic of visitors tends to be couples aged 30 years and older. However, Wayne explains that he has received a variety of guests over the years, including families and retirees.

History

The home was initially built in 1805 by a man named Truman Gillet, who is the namesake of the bed and breakfast. Truman used the building as a residential home. He was a cooper by occupation, which is someone who builds barrels for the cottage industry. Truman raised his family in this home, and for several generations, it was passed down to his children until about 2004 when it was sold to the current owner, Wayne Cahoon.

Wayne was led into the industry because of his past experiences of staying at other bed and breakfasts. Wayne explains, "We went to a cousin's wedding in Maine, and it was in a small town that didn't have hotels nearby, so my aunt suggested that we stay at a bed and breakfast nearby." He explains that he enjoyed how personable and informational the owner and other guests were and how they enjoyed speaking with them during breakfast. Wayne continues, "Whenever we went anywhere else, we always wanted to be in a bed and breakfast."

Wayne remarks that his favorite part about running Truman Gillet House Bed & Breakfast is "talking with people from all around the world." He mentions, "Out of any place they (his visitors) could stay, they chose to come here." According to the owner, people from places such as Australia, New Zealand, Russia, and other European countries have spent time at the inn. Relatives of Truman Gillet, the original owner of the land, have also visited the bed and breakfast since Wayne purchased the home.